Former Juventus midfielder Giancarlo Marocchi believes that Inter have the qualities in their squad to defend the Scudetto and that these were on display against Sampdoria yesterday despite the match resulting in a draw.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the 56-year-old praised both the attacking and defensive qualities in the Nerazzurri team, as well as the mindset and intensity.
Inter will be disappointed to come home with only a point from the Marassi, having gone ahead twice before being pegged back on each occasion.
All in all, the Sampdoria clash was the toughest test that Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri have faced yet, and the result reflected this fact.
“In terms of intensity, Inter looked to drop off,” he said. “Because Sampdoria was very strong. But Inzaghi’s team proved to be a tough team full of champions.”
The performance was not without encouraging signs, and Marocchi chose to highlight a defensive action rather than any of the pieces of individual brilliance which resulted in goals when he was speaking about the positive qualities in the team.
“In addition to scoring two goals,” he said, “they had four chances and the match could have been won. But the last save on the line was that of D’Ambrosio, a great chance, but that chance could have won the match for Sampdoria. He put his heart into it. Inter have shown what they are made of despite the tough circumstances.”
Of Nerazzurri midfielder Nicolo Barella he said, “We all know of Barella as an assist man. But there is a wrinkle that Inzaghi has added and Conte, to my eye, almost never did. He takes off Brozovic and puts Barella in front of the defense and puts Vidal on.”
“This tempers the offensive enthusiasm that Nicolo has,” he went on. “This is a new idea that compared to last year.”
